Governor



May 16, 1944. R. c. DARNELL GOVERNOR Filed oct. 12, 1942 SIVOM I )QI-4 C' Dalbne aan, Lome., QMQ'MM Patented May 16, 1944 ENT# OFFICE Rex C. lD-arnell,` Dexter, Mich., assigner to King- Seeley Corporation, Arbor, Mich., a corporation vof Michigan Application October 12, 19.42, Serial No. 461,823

`fr onims. (o1. 137-152) The present invention relates to speed governing devices for prime movers, and more particularly toY such devices in which the flowl of fuel mixtureor other motive fiuid to the prime mover is controlled by a butterfly valve of the so-called balanced type. Typical of such devices isfthe fly-weight governor, which maybe wholly mechanical or, alternatively, may employ hydraulic means alone or in conjunction with mechanical means for resisting the valve-closing movements of the fly-Weight.l f Such devices ordinarily employ throttle valve of the butterfly type in which the Yspindle is mounted centrally of the conduit and the plate is mounted symmetrically on the spindle, so as to expose an equal area'on 'either side-of the spindle. Such a valve is geometrically balanced and is generally referred to, in the governor art, as a balanced valve. Moreover, it has generally been assumed that such valves are dynamically balanced as Well, i. e., it has been supposed that, since an equal area is exposed on either side of the spindle, the flow of fuel mixture or motive fiuid past the valve does not give rise to any turning moment in the latter. On the other hand, certain investigators have determined that notwithstanding the geometrical balance of such valves, the flowof fiuidsin a conduit controlled .by a valve of this type creates a demite and measurable closing torque at most angular positions of the valve, the value of such torque varying widely and in an irregular manner over `the range of angular positions.

Since the balancing mechanism of a y-Weight or centrifugal governoris designed to counter balance the known centrifugal forces, which may be plotted as straight lines (for the most part) f. or as smooth curves, it is obvious that the existence, in the throttle valve,.of such an inherent or parasitic torque characteristic as that mentioned above is seriously detrimental to the gov.. erning effect, giving rise to faulty operation under certain load conditions.

Those in the governor art who have recognized the cause of this difiiculty have sought by various means to overcome it, as by placing the valve spindle oi center, perforating the valve plate, or removing a small portion from one o1' the other lateral edge of the plate. None of these expedients has succeeded in removing the parasitic torque, but they have resulted only in changing the character of the parasitic torque curve, or in other words, in varying the angular positions of the maximum and minimum values of such torque.

The general object of the present invention-is to provide means whereby the harmful effect of -the parasitic torque is eliminated, not by eliminating the torque but by completely counterbalancing it. More specifically, itis an object of this invention to provide means, associated with the throttle valve spindle of a centrifugal governor, for applying to the spindle at each angular position thereof a force urging it toward fully opened position, which force is exactly equal to the parasitic closing torque acting on the valve at said angular position. f

One suitable mode of carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: r A

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a conduit controlled by a butterfly valve' including balancing means in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view at 90Q4 to Figure '1; and

invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and detailed descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention lis thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring first to Figure 3, it will be seen that in the actual case there illustrated (the governor valve of a powerfu1 interna1 combustion engine) the maximum parasitic closing torque on the valve occurred at a valve opening of about 14. Naturally, in fully closed position, therebeing no flow, there would be no torque in either direction, but from 0 of opening, the parasitic closing torque rises irregularly to the maximum, then descends irregularly to zero at about 59 of opening. This end point will vary according to the physical characteristics of the valve and the velocity of flow, which in turn varies with the pressure differential across the valve.

Having determined the characteristic parasitic torque curve for any particular valve, the torque may be counterbalanced by the means illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the numeral I0 designates a section of a cylindrical conduit. such as the usual governor capacity lspindle Vin each angular position. thereof.

adapted to be inserted in the intake conduit of an internal combustion engine. A buttery valve comprising the plate II secured on the spindle I2 is mounted symmetrically in the conduit, the spindle intersecting the axis of the conduit and equal areas of the plate projecting on the respective sides of the spindle. The spindle I2 is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings I3, I4, and one projecting end of the-spindle is provided with a lever vI5 for connection to the speed-responsive governor mechanism, which is not a part of the present invention, and is not illustrated.

Upon the opposite end of the spindle I2, which likewise projects outwardly ofthe conduit ID, there is secured a cam I6. A stub shaft I1 projecting from the outer wall of the conduit provides a pivot for a bell cranklever .of Awhich one arm I8 carries a cam follower roller ..I,9, adapted to be maintained at all times `in contact with the cam I6. The other arm of the bell crank lever is provided with a stud 2I for .engaging oneend ofthes-pring 22. The .opposite end of the spring, which is in tension,` engages a fixed stud 23, which may be integral with the conduit casting I0. Preferably the entire counterbalancing mechanismv is sealed in a .suitable casling, of which the'base portion 24'risnshown as formed integral withthe vconduit casting` I0.

The contour Yof Vthe cam I6 is dictated by the parasitic torque characteristic of the valve 'II, I2 for the given operating conditions, having rin mind the rate uand'initial tension .of the spring .22,.and the proportions of the bell Acrank lever IB, 20, the entire assembly being constructed .and arranged so that the force-of vthe spring 22 is'applied to the spindle I2, through the'bell crank lever vand cam, inan amount vjust yequal to the parasitic closing torque facting- .on the Obviously, no denite formula can be established for the contour of the cam, as Veach individual ycase presents a separate problem, .depending upon the characteristics and magnitude `of the i forces involved. However, once the parasitic-...

torque curve has been plotted for the particular valve Vand `operating conditions involved, the cam contour; the spring rate and -tensionaand thelocation and 'proportions of the bell vcrank levermay easily be .correlated vby the application of 'elementary mechanica1 principles.

AIt will be apparent rthat different :mechanical arrangements than .that illustrated may be employed for carrying intoefectzthe principles o;

the invention, it being' necessary only :to have I:

a cam or similar lever 'on the .valvepspihdle a resilient means, and means operatively inter- 'connecting said resilient meansand said' cam --lever.

Having thus described the uinvention; what'is s claimedasl new and. desired 'tof be .secured by yLetters Patent is:

to said resilient means and bearing on said "f member, said last means and said member being so constructed and arranged as to transmit the `force of said Lresilient means to said spindle in Isaid conduit, and torque balancing means associated with said spindle for counterbalancing -rthe V.parasitic torqueof said valve, lsaid .last ymeans. comprising a member secured on said spindle externally of said conduit, resilient meansv carried by said governor,A and Vmeansconnected .to said resilient=means and bearing-.on said member, said -member having a contour empirically designed in accordancey WithJ-Lthe parasitic torque-characteristics of said valve, and

saidflast mentioned means being yada'ptedto ap- -fp1y the force of said resilient means at different Ypoints .ion the contour of said-member 'as .the .latter rotatesv with said spindle.

3. In a 'governor for prime movers, a conduit, afspindle mounted transversely of said' conduit and .intersecting the longitudinalaxis thereof, a 4butterfly valve .mounted on said rspindle-rand adapted to control the passage of fluid through said .conduitpandtorque balancing means associated with` said `spindle for counterbalancing .the parasitic torque lof said valve, sa'idlast means A:conrprising a, cam secured-on Isaid spindle. .rex- `ter-nallyof :said conduit, resilient meansA carried .by-said. governor, .and a cam followerv connected tozsaid `,resilient means .and .bearing'oni'said cam, said :cam andl cam .follower being so `constructed -a-nd 'arranged as to transmit the .force of "said vresilientmeans to said 'spindle the 'required amount depending upon 'the angular'po'siti'onrbl said valve in `Said conduit.

V4.*'In a governor :for pri'memovers, afconduit.

t a.:spindle mounted transversely of .said :conduit yz zndiintersecting the longitudinal. axis thereoffa Abutteriiy valve mountedionsaid .'spindlewy and A -adapted to control .thepassage' fof iluid 1through said'conduit,fa'nd torque balancingzmeansza'ssociat'edl with .'.said .spindle for.- 'counterbalancing -the parasitic. .torque of said valve.

, REX C. DARNELL. 

